This newest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
